Reusable, eco-friendly container for storing and dispensing food and beverage

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a container for storing food and/or beverage, specifically designed for use with infants and young children to adults, constructed of a reusable, ecofriendly fabric and materials.

The present application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Application, Application No. 61/841,897, filed on Jul. 1, 2013, by the same applicant.

BACKGROUND

Single serve food and beverage containers have traditionally been constructed for disposable, singe use consumption, such as in multi-layered plastic film bags, aluminum cans, paper cartons or boxes, glass jars, and plastic bottles. The current materials used to construct such food and beverage containers are intended to allow for mass production and consumer convenience. Such materials produce millions of tons of landfill and litter if not recycled and some “convenience” products cannot be recycled at all. This has created massive land, air, and water pollution worldwide reportedly causing 40% of all deaths globally each year. One of the biggest contributors to pollution and landfill growth is in the production and disposal of current food and beverage containers that are opened and then discarded after one use.

Although recyclability in food and beverage containers is important for sustainability, it is most important to consider the harmful carbon dioxide impact (i.e. carbon footprint) of production, transportation, storage, and final disposal of such containers. Current food and beverage containers are also not designed to be completely reusable. Most food and beverage containers are not designed to permit repeated use after the food or beverage is consumed.

What is desired; therefore, is a personal food and beverage container and dispenser that is entirely refillable and reusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a reusable, eco-friendly container, for storing food and beverage, specifically designed for infants and young children to adults. The present invention is comprised of a soft, pliable, woven fabric material formed in the shape of a pouch or bag with a threaded rim top portion that is adhered to the opening of the pouch or bag, a detachable, screw closure having a spout to allow pureed foods and beverages to pass from the interior of the pouch through such spout, and a detachable cap or screw top lid to securely close the spout. The primary objective of the invention is for easy, on-the-go, utensil free consumption and storage of food and beverage directly from the device. The present invention will be made using child friendly and choke proof components to accommodate infants just beginning to eat solid foods. The present invention is not only advantageous in providing convenient food and beverage consumption for infants and children but likewise for adults. The present design is ideal tier adult commuters or athletes seeking a completely reusable food and beverage container. The design provides easy to use, on the go, beverage and food consumption for all ages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a container for storing food and/or beverage, specifically designed for infants and young children to adults, constructed of a reusable, ecofriendly fabric and materials. The device is constructed of a lightweight polyester interlock fabric outer shell which is bonded to TPU, also known as thermoplastic polyurethane, a thin stretchy plastic film to form a liquid/oxygen barrier. The lightweight polyester interlock fabric and thermoplastic polyurethane are bonded together into a single fabric using a combination of heat, pressure, and adhesive. Such ecofriendly fabric allows the present invention to be completely refillable and reusable thereby addressing the issues present in current food and beverage containers. Although lightweight polyester interlock fabric bonded to thermoplastic polyurethane into a single fabric has been used to construct articles of clothing, it has not been applied to the food and beverage storage industry, specifically food and beverage container for individual consumption designed for infants and young children.

A preferred embodiment of the design of the food and beverage container of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The container 1 is generally shown in FIG. 5, comprising a pouch like body 3 having a tapered end at one end 5 and an opening 7 at the opposite end. The pouch like body 3 is constructed of the lightweight polyester interlock fabric outer shell which is bonded to TPU. The TPU lines the interior of the pouch like body 3 to provide a barrier to prevent liquid from leaking from the interior of the body to the exterior. Such TPU layer is permanently adhered, sewn, heat sealed or bonded to the outer shell. In one embodiment of the present invention, an outer layer may be incorporated to the pouch like body 3 such that it envelops the pouch like body 3. Such outer layer may provide variation in color, pattern, or shape to the device. Such exterior layer may be constructed of any cloth-like fiber or material and permanently affixed to the pouch body 3. Another embodiment may include a removable exterior layer to the pouch like body 3. Such exterior layer may be constructed of any cloth-like fiber or material that can be easily removed by the user. The benefit of such exterior layer is that the exterior layer may be completely detachable from the container and interchanged with another exterior layer or shell. Such exterior layer provides variation in color, pattern, or shape. In one embodiment, the pouch body may be insulated using conventional insulation means to provide the means to insulate the contained food and beverage from heat and cold.

The present invention is further comprised of a top component 9 which is fitted into the opening 7 wherein such top component 9 possesses a side wall or skirt that extends from base of the top component 9 down to a predetermined height from said base. Such skirt or sidewall fits within the opening 7 of the pouch body 3 and is adhered to the walls of the pouch body 3. The top component 9 is permanently adhered, sewn, heat sealed or bonded to the opening 7 to provide a waterproof seal to prevent any liquids from leaking from such seal. The top component 9 further possesses a collar or rim 11 having external threads 13 and a passageway or aperture 15 providing a pathway from the interior of the pouch body to the exterior. As shown in FIG. 5, the top component 9 may have a base that extends along a plane perpendicular to the rim 11. Alternatively, the base may be arced or sloped such that the base is curved around the perimeter of the rim 11 or curved or sloped on both sides of the rim 11.

The top portion 9 is fixed to the pouch like body 3 and may be constructed of recyclable materials derived from, but not limited to, polyethylene or organic polymers.

The container is further comprised of a closure 17 forming a spout or pouring aperture 19 that allows fluid to flow from the interior of the pouch-like body 3 through said spout or pouring aperture 19. The closure 17 has internal threads corresponding to the threading of rim 11 of the top portion 9 to allow a user to secure such closure 17 to the top portion 9. The spout or pouring aperture 19 may have a predetermined height and predetermined diameter to provide the ideal flow rate of liquid to the user. The closure 17 may be constructed of recyclable materials derived from, but not limited to, polyethylene or organic polymers. In one embodiment, the spout or pouring aperture may be constructed to provide a shut off valve or one way valve that would allow the user to control the flow of liquid from the interior of the pouch to the exterior. The valve may be a one way valve that allows liquid to flow from the interior of the pouch to the exterior if the container is tilted above a predetermined angle while the user is attempting to drink and correspondingly prevent flow when the container is in the upright position. Alternatively, the shut off valve may be a valve that requires manual opening or closing by the user. Such manual opening means may include a valve that requires manual rotation by the user to “open” the valve or a pull up motion to “open” the valve.

The present invention is further comprised of closure means or detachable cap 21 to securely close the spout or pouring aperture 19. Such closure means or cap 21 has internal threading corresponding to the threading at the base of the spout or pouring aperture 19 as shown in FIG. 5. Such design allows the user to secure the cap 21 to the spout or pouring aperture 19.

The closure means or cap 21 may be constructed from recyclable materials derived from, but not limited to, polyethylene or organic polymers.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the container 1 is further comprised of a tether or leash having a ring 25 placed around the base of the pouring aperture or spout 19 connected to closure means or pronged, snap-on cap 27 and is secured to the closure means or cap 21. A band 29 connects the ring 25 to the cap 27. The cap 27 snaps on to the closure or cap 21 to tether the cap 21 to the container. The tether or leash provides the user with additional means to grasp the container. In one embodiment, the tether or band 29, cap 27, and ring 25 may be formed such that the tether and leash are of a single construction with the closure cap 21 to replace the closure means or cap 21 to close the container to prevent any leakage of liquid. In such embodiment, the tether and cap allows a user to simply remove the cap 27 to access the liquid within the pouch body 3. The tethered cap may be constructed from recyclable materials derived from, but not limited to, polyethylene or organic polymers.

The pouch body 3 may be constructed in any conventional shape, including rectilinear, elliptical, spherical, or any polygonal shape. The pouch body 3 may also be constructed in any non-conventional shape, including animal shapes, flower shapes, and any other objects and shapes. The pouch body 3 may vary in size depending on the amount of liquid it is required to hold.

In one embodiment, the pouch body may be cylindrical in shape to allow more liquid to be stored or contained within the container. In another embodiment, the end of the pouch body that is tapered may be replaced with a non-tapered end that has a gusseted bottom wall having a predetermined diameter or width. In another embodiment, the end of the pouch body that is tapered may be replaced with a non-tapered end that is circular or rectilinear in shape in the cross sectional view and having a predetermined diameter or width.

In one embodiment, the pouch body 3 may have straps or handles to allow the container to be easily transported and improve the portability of the container.

In another embodiment, the pouch body 3 may be reinforced with wire or any other conventional means of stiffening or reinforcing the pouch body 3 to maintain its shape while the container is in use. In another embodiment, the outer shell of the pouch body 3 may be reinforced with wire or any other conventional means of stiffening or reinforcing the pouch to allow the pouch body to be rolled so the user can more easily empty all contents of the container from its tapered end 5 to its opening 5. In another embodiment, the bag would have a horizontal prong, band, flange or part encircling the body 3 that may be attached to its tapered end 5. Such part would be capable of sliding up body 3 to its opening 5 to assist in emptying the contents all the body 3. Such part may be constructed of recyclable materials derived from, but not limited to, polyethylene or organic polymers.

In one embodiment, the pouch like body 3 may possess an area of predetermined size on its exterior surface that allows for a label or other means to provide the user with the ability to add custom labeling to the exterior of the surface of the pouch like body 3. Such labels, material or fabric may be fixed or heat sealed to the exterior surface of the pouch like body 3.

In one embodiment, the body 3 may be detachable from the top component 9. A detachable body 3 allows for ease of cleaning and to allow the body to be interchangeable. Such detachable body allows for variation in color, pattern, or shape of body 3.

In another embodiment, the body 3 may have an opening at its tapered end 5 to allow the user to load food or beverage and ease of cleaning.

An additional embodiment may include a slot, groove or recess in closure 17 for placement or retention of tether 29 to secure tether 29 from movement while user is eating or drinking.

In one embodiment, the body 3 may include an eyelet for a clip or other material to be added for attaching present invention to another object such as stroller, purse, bike or the user.

In another embodiment, the cap 21 may be constructed to be in any shape, including rectilinear, elliptical, spherical, polygonal shape or any non-conventional shape. In one embodiment, the cap 21 may be used as an interconnecting building block toy to connect with other building block toy caps 21, tether 29, cap 27, and/or ring 25 to construct horizontal or vertical structures.

While the purpose of the present invention is to provide a reusable food and beverage container, the present invention may be constructed of non reusable materials or recyclable materials.

Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications, which will become apparent to one skilled in the art, are within the scope of this invention described in the attached claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for storing food and beverage, comprising a container body of a lightweight polyester interlock fabric outer shell bonded to thermoplastic polyurethane wherein such container body possesses a pouring aperture.
 2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the lightweight polyester interlock fabric and thermoplastic polyurethane are bonded together into a single fabric using a combination of heat, pressure, and adhesive.
 3. The container according to claim 1 wherein the container body has a removable second outer shell exterior to the fabric outer shell wherein such second removable outer shell may be easily interchanged by the user.
 4. The container according to claim 1 wherein the container is further comprised of closure means to securely close the pouring aperture to prevent liquid from leaking from said pouring aperture.
 5. The container according to claim 4 wherein the body may be detachable from the pouring aperture and closure means to allow the body to be interchangeable.
 6. The container according to claim 4 wherein the closure means may be used as an interconnecting building block toy.
 7. The container according to claim 1 wherein the container includes a tethered cap.
 8. The container according to claim 7 wherein the tethered cap possesses closure means to securely close the pouring aperture to prevent liquid from leaking from said pouring aperture.
 9. The container according to claim 7 wherein the tethered cap may be used as an interconnecting building block toy.
 10. The claim according to claim 1 wherein the container includes tethered closure means to securely close the pouring aperture.
 11. The container according to claim 1 wherein the pouring aperture includes a valve to control the flow of liquid.
 12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container body may possess insulation means to insulate the container.
 13. A container body according to claim 1, wherein the container body may be reinforced with wire to allow the container body to be rolled to empty the contents of the container body.
 14. A container for storing food and beverage, specifically designed for use with infants and young children, comprising a container body of a lightweight polyester interlock fabric outer shell bonded to thermoplastic polyurethane wherein such container body possesses a pouring aperture.
 15. The container according to claim 14 wherein the lightweight polyester interlock fabric and thermoplastic polyurethane are bonded together into a single fabric using a combination of heat, pressure, and adhesive.
 16. The container according to claim 14 wherein the container body has a second removable outer shell exterior to the fabric outer shell wherein such second removable outer shell may be easily interchanged by the user.
 17. The container according to claim 14 wherein the container is further compromised of closure means to securely close the pouring aperture to prevent liquid from leaking from said pouring aperture.
 18. The container according to claim 14 wherein the container includes a tethered cap.
 19. The claim according to claim 14 wherein the container includes tethered closure means to securely close the pouring aperture.
 20. The container according to claim 14 wherein the pouring aperture includes a valve to control the flow of liquid.
 21. The container according to claim 14, wherein the container body may possess insulation means to insulate the container.
 22. A container body according to claim 14, wherein the container body may be reinforced with wire to allow the container body to be rolled to empty the contents of the container body.
 23. A container for storing food and beverage, comprising a container body of a lightweight polyester interlock fabric outer shell bonded to thermoplastic polyurethane wherein the lightweight polyester interlock fabric and thermoplastic polyurethane are bonded together into a single fabric using a combination of heat, pressure, and adhesive.
 24. The container according to claim 23 wherein the container body possesses a pouring aperture. 